Whether you have a romantic dinner date or an endless night of partying, Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to be creative with makeup. As the special day approaches, take your pick: a bold and flirty look for a girl’s night out or a subtle and romantic one for those who are taken.

A very important first step both looks is to moisturize your skin (Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer, $11.99).  Apply foundation for an even skin tone, and lock the look in place with a few dabs of powder on the areas that tend to be more oily: the forehead, nose and chin (Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation, $12.99 and Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder, $4.99).

Look 1: Single

For an over-the-top glamorous look, try a simple and classic smoky eye. Start with a light shade of grey all over the eyelid and work your way out with a darker shade of grey or black as a base (Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo Cream Gel Eyeshadow, $5.29). Next, choose a complementary eyeshadow: warm browns and dark purples for blue eyes, bright blues and greens for brown eyes, bright purples for green eyes and neutral grey tones for hazel eyes, and apply it all over the lid.  Then trace the lower lash line with a sparkly dark grey shadow, and highlight the inner corner with a shimmering white shade (Urban Decay Naked 2 Basics Palette, $29). Add drama with black winged eyeliner, as well as a black pencil liner on your waterline and tightline (Maybelline Line Stiletto Ultimate Precision Liquid Eyeliner, $7.99 and Nyx Cosmetics Jumbo Eye Pencil, $4.49).  If you want to go all out, apply false lashes and multiple coats of mascara (Covergirl Full Lash Bloom Mascara, $8.99).  Apply a bright pink lip shade for a playful look, or a classic glossy nude shade as a subtle option, and you will be ready to conquer the night with this bold and beautiful look (Nyx Cosmetics Butter Gloss, $4.99).

Look 2: Taken

For sparkling champagne eyes, cover the entire lid with a shimmery gold shade (L’Oréal Infallible Eyeshadow, $7.99).  Blend it across the creases and the inner corners of the eyes to highlight. Add a brown liner to bring out the color of the eye and define its shape (Nyx Cosmetics Jumbo Eye Pencil, $4.49). Take a shade of glossy pink lipstick that complements your skin color and add a subtle blush to keep the look natural.  Use a matte shadow along the lower lashes to enhance the eyes without drawing too much focus to the makeup. Stick with warm shades- — anything similar to chocolate or caramel (Urban Decay Naked 2 Basics Palette, $29). Give this look a sexy touch by applying shiny red lipstick for an old Hollywood glamour effect (Nyx Cosmetics Butter Lipstick, $5.99). This makeup provides a combination of elegance and charm, perfect for a special night with a special person.

These simple techniques to change up your makeup are sure to give you that extra boost of confidence to have the best Valentine’s Day yet, single or taken.

A version of this article appeared in the Wednesday, Feb. 11 print edition.  Email Riddhi Keralia at [email protected]